Bike Lane Problems
First it was the "Maggie boxes" restricting traffic movement and hindering emergency responses.
And as a commentator pointed out, Rahm's push for more bike lanes is having the same effect. As former four-lane streets suddenly become one lane of traffic headed in each direction, response times are going to rise, fender benders are going to increase and first responders are going to be blamed once again for the complete lack of planning on the part of idiot politicians.
And that doesn't even take into consideration the winter months when the plows can't effectively clear the streets, piling snow in the bike lanes and tearing out the PVC pipes in the pavement. And the freeze/thaw cycle really ought to have a field day with all the new holes made in the road - Chicago asphalt has a notoriously short half life as it is. We can only imagine it's getting even shorter with these miles of bike lanes.
And as a commentator pointed out, Rahm's push for more bike lanes is having the same effect. As former four-lane streets suddenly become one lane of traffic headed in each direction, response times are going to rise, fender benders are going to increase and first responders are going to be blamed once again for the complete lack of planning on the part of idiot politicians.
And that doesn't even take into consideration the winter months when the plows can't effectively clear the streets, piling snow in the bike lanes and tearing out the PVC pipes in the pavement. And the freeze/thaw cycle really ought to have a field day with all the new holes made in the road - Chicago asphalt has a notoriously short half life as it is. We can only imagine it's getting even shorter with these miles of bike lanes.
Labels: dumb ideas
posted by SCC at 12:02 AM
108 Comments:
55th Street is in for it.
You don't have any grounds for your conclusions. Cars can pull over into the bike lanes to make room for emergency vehicles. Where there are two lanes of traffic in each direction, the cars have nowhere to go because there are just other cars to their right. I am constantly appalled at how Chicago drivers don't even try to get out of the way of emergency vehicles.
And I'm not sure how bike lanes will leave more wear and tear on asphalt. Not saying you're wrong. But a bike weighs far less than a car, putting less stress on the surface. Maybe the same amount of cars driving in one lane instead of two will put more stress on that lane? But the bike lane area (where a second lane of car traffic could have gone) will show much less wear. Maybe it balances out? And in theory at least, bike lanes mean more bikers, means less drivers, means less wear and tear on the roads.
Can you explain the PVC pipes? I am not familiar with this.
Bike lanes of the way of the future. Get used to it. When you fools driving gas guzzlers paying $5 bucks a gallon and wonder why you're broke.
Get out get some exercise and take a bike. Or do whar I do it take an electric bike.
What about the biker that is suing the city because he fell off his bike blaming a sewer cover or cracked cement. Because of this cyclist and other reasons the city should take them all out and release the lawsuit info.
Familliarize yourself with U.N. agenda 21.
This will explain some of what is going on with regard to this bicycle nonsense.
And still the assholes on bikes are flying through intersections and stop signs at close to 20mph and scream and curse if you fail to give them the right of way to disobey avery traffic law they want to ignore, which is all of them.
I made a left onto Lincoln Ave after stopping at a stop sign. Moron on a bike blows the stop sign and barrels through at full speed on his race bicycle. except I was pulling over to park. He expected me to not park and give him the bike lane after he runs the stop sign. He screams "my lane!" as he swerves to avoid hitting my car.
Fuck him and every other asshole aggressive bicycle rider out there. I don't mind a bit watching you jerks bounce off my car. I guarantee it won't hurt me one bit. Wouldn't be the first idiot bike rider I've watched go sprawling asshole over elbows, over my car.
I am having an "almost" creaming of a bike rider at least once a week now on north side streets. Assholes think they own it all because Rahm says so. Oh well, cars are larger and heavier, they just don't seem to grasp this law of physics in addition to ignoring every traffic law out there.
This is a fricken congested metropolis, not mayberry you idiots.
Get out get some exercise and take a bike. Or do whar I do it take an electric bike.
8/08/2012 12:12:00 AM
Waste of money and dangerous. Stick to the side streets. Is that too much to ask?
Just on the news that the bike rental program is on hold due to an investigation into rigged bidding--IG investigating. Pretty much, if there's a contract in Chicago, it was rigged somehow--it's business as usual here after master thief Daley--although maybe this contract went through when he was daMayo?
Bikers NEVER obey traffic laws. Time to start ticketing them. I've almost hit several of them because they've blown right through red lights.
What really kills me is giving up valuable parking space for these "parklets" - where did they get that idea, Europe? Geez.
Disclaimer: I don't own a car (but do a bike!).
--No Cop Here
8/08/2012 12:09:00 AM
8/08/2012 12:12:00 AM
^^^ same person ^^^
The bike lanes are awful. They just recently put these in on Garfield in Hyde Park. Complete joke. In the winter they're going to be filled with snow and no one will be able to park.
I hate Chicago bike riders. They're the most dangerous drives out there.
I'm with 4:01AM
fuck those self-righteous asshole bikers.
giving them more lanes will only add to the entitlement.
i believe it's "share the road"
not "own" it.
Parking on some main arterial streets should be banned 24/7. Traffic is too slow and congested in this town. It takes hours to drive across the city.
I was on the north side a few weeks ago, it just got dark. Ialmost hit a women on her bike who was wearing dark clothing and did not have lights on her bike. What a fool !She was not in any bike lane, as if you could even see these lanes in the dark in the rain>
on your left
With the predictable bitching "bikers are assholes, they think their entitled, etc." that is surely going to ensue from this topic, instead of whining on the blog, do something about it. Write an ANOV, mover, parker just as you would to a vehicle. "Squad hold me down on a bicycle safety mission." Bam, there's your safe city activity for the month.
When you think you are omnipotent and smarter than people that don't ride,and are told by the liberal politicians what to eat and ride etc.etc.,reality will "run"you over by a impaired driver with only smokable or drinkable amounts in their blood.Pretend you are invisible,because you are! I also thought that cyclists were to abide by all the rules of the road!
use to be u can take elston as alternate to the Kennedy.Now its one lane with hardly any bikes using bike lanes.Once u pass bucktown there are no more bike riders.
Between 500 new stop signs and speedbumps no wonder it takes twice as much time to get home as it was 10 yrs ago.
I ride bikes on a regular basis, and wish more people would also ride. However, there are real issues here: 1. Where is the snow going to go? Unless Al Gore is correct, (I doubt that) winters in Chicago will have ice and snow! How are they going to clean the bike lanes? 2. If the snow plows come through, how and where will the snow be placed? THE BOTTOM LINE IS UNLESS OBAMA IS REALLY THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST, AND RAHM HIS "PETER", THE BIKE LANES WILL NOT BE USABLE AT LEAST 3 MONTHS OF THE YEAR, PERIOD.
" Wave of the future "; you are so full of feces I can smell you thru this website.
Wait! I have a better idea, no cars or bikes, lets all ride unicorns, no, better yet, lets all walk, yea, that's the ticket, walk and crawl our way back to the stone age.
I've even seen motorcycles using those bike lanes. So whats wrong with it?
just ride down Lake St. what a joke! can't wait to see all the accidents there. A street that goes thru the ghetto! you know so many bicyclist go down that street. out to liberal oak park.
As a biker and a driver, hopefully I can offer some perspective. I started biking in this city before all of the hub bub about "protected" & "buffered" lanes. Yeah they're cool, but just an indication of a normal bike lane is fine with me. I use hand signals, let other bikers know I'm "on the left" when I pass. I check for cars at stops and will roll through, otherwise I will stop (even though it's a pain in the ass momentum wise just to get waved through by the driver who has the right of way.) I understand the frustration though as a driver. I just chalk it up to the fact that there are lots of idiots in this city, generally whether on two or four wheels. When I drive, I'm commuting south on the Dan Ryan...holy shit, that on a weekday morning should be called the "Ghettoprix 500". Dodge Charger or Impala no signals with a three lane change then a typical white van going 45 in the highspeed lane, not to mention Chad the yuppie in his Audie who thinks its Le Mons etc. etc. Also, I'm one of those "morons" that rides a "race" bike. @4:01am not everyone is an idiot who rides, get on a bike and quit bitchin' you'd be surprised about the workout you get.
- teacher
I took Elston the other day and what used to be a great fast flowing street now is reduced to one lane each way and was all backed up. But they converted two lanes into bike lanes which the whole time i didn't see one single bike ride by.
I understand throwing a bike lane onto a street where you don't lose an entire lane, but why would they take a lane out of an important street for these seldom and seasonal used bikes?
You don't have any grounds for your conclusions. Cars can pull over into the bike lanes to make room for emergency vehicles. Where there are two lanes of traffic in each direction, the cars have nowhere to go because there are just other cars to their right. I am constantly appalled at how Chicago drivers don't even try to get out of the way of emergency vehicles.
And I'm not sure how bike lanes will leave more wear and tear on asphalt. Not saying you're wrong. But a bike weighs far less than a car, putting less stress on the surface. Maybe the same amount of cars driving in one lane instead of two will put more stress on that lane? But the bike lane area (where a second lane of car traffic could have gone) will show much less wear. Maybe it balances out? And in theory at least, bike lanes mean more bikers, means less drivers, means less wear and tear on the roads.
Can you explain the PVC pipes? I am not familiar with this.
8/08/2012 12:09:00 AM
You obviously haven't been on 55th st where there are white poles from Cottage Grove to Lake Park. So a driver is supposed to drive directly into the poles? Seriously? Idiot! And read his post again, its not the bike that will damage the streets, its the alterations to make the bike lanes protected!
Transportation Man said...
You don't have any grounds for your conclusions. Cars can pull over into the bike lanes to make room for emergency vehicles. Where there are two lanes of traffic in each direction, the cars have nowhere to go because there are just other cars to their right. I am constantly appalled at how Chicago drivers don't even try to get out of the way of emergency vehicles.
And I'm not sure how bike lanes will leave more wear and tear on asphalt. Not saying you're wrong. But a bike weighs far less than a car, putting less stress on the surface. Maybe the same amount of cars driving in one lane instead of two will put more stress on that lane? But the bike lane area (where a second lane of car traffic could have gone) will show much less wear. Maybe it balances out? And in theory at least, bike lanes mean more bikers, means less drivers, means less wear and tear on the roads.
Can you explain the PVC pipes? I am not familiar with this.
********
If you are not familiar with the pipes then you are not familiar with the basis of the SCC post. You are correct that cars could pull over into the previous style of open bike lanes. The new bike lanes on Lake St, Elston, etc have what look like metal pipes (but maybe they are PVC) bolted to the road. Drivers cannot get past these pipes to pull over for emergency vehicles.
Drivers also can no longer go around someone making a left turn, so now if someone makes a left turn, Lake street just comes to a stop. And only one car can go in the right turn lane so you can't make a right turn on red unless you are the first car in line. Lake st used to be one of the best East/West routes in area but the City can't have anything move efficiently so they "fixed" it.
Chicago is already on every list of one of the worst cities for traffic congestion/commuting. These little street projectiles the City has installed just muck up traffic more than before and make day to day life in Chicago a little more annoying.
PS: To the commenters who will tell people to get some exercise. I have been riding my bike in the City for years. But you can't drop kids off at day care or pick up groceries on a bike. This agenda is not family friendly.
4:01 a.m., you are a jagoff. There are plenty of rogue cyclists out there but far more rogue drivers. You never come to a complete stop at stop signs, so why should I? You park in the bike lanes, leave your car there, alight from cabs, walk in there. You squeeze the space in the right lane so I can't get through, and you do it just because you can't stand the thought of me getting to the light first. Go ahead, bounce me off your car, and I will sue your motherfucking ass and take every penny you've got.
all streets in the city of chicago are shared bike lanes. I believe the ordinance states if you are 12 and over you must ride on the street. so there is no need for bike lanes and all the markings.
A CTA bus on Naragansett by the Brickyard yesterday was using the South bound bike lane and blocking the drive lane at the same time. Driving about 10-15 MPH, when it was driving. Every time it stopped, it pulled more into the drive lane to block traffic. Neither bikes nor cars could pass. I guess CTA uses ALL lanes when they can.
Police should ticket the bikers once in a while. The bikes are supossed to obey all the traffic laws cars do. I used to laugh at my FTO because he wrote tickets to bike riders who blew through stop signs.
A simple license plate like the ones on motorcycles would solve the bicycle idiots shooting through traffic with disregard. It would also create revenue for the city. Embed the ID plate with a desponder like the ones used on the tollway and the potential is endless.
transportation man @ 00:09 8/8/12, u sir, are an idiot. if u don't know what these protected bike lanes are, then u need to get out more and see for yourself before making these ill-educated comments.
as far as the asphalt roads in chi...yes, TERRIBLE. but it means more contracts for connected folks to pave the roads every few years! chicago way...
8/08/2012 12:09:00 AM
This guy obvioulsly has no idea what you are talking about SCC and can't read too well.
When are they going to require bicyclists to carry some sort of liability insurance so the damage that they cause when breaking the traffic laws and slamming into cars gets paid for other than my insurance?
The REAL question here is where/why did Rahm find money for a 5-6 year plan to add bike lanes and not contribute, by law, to the police pension fund as required?
Millions spent on bullshit bike lanes who's paying for it? vote out the liberal trash.
I was riding my harley davidson tricycle In the bike lane. It was awesome. Im getting too old for two wheels.
Most folks riding bikes around this town are rude and nasty. Most fail to obey stop signs or traffic signals. No wonder cars eventually nail these ignorant assholes from time to time. I pay to license my car to use the streets and also pay taxes for their upkeep. Bikers do not pay dogshit. So if you assholes want to ride a bike...MOVE OUT TO THE FUCKING COUNTRY!
Here's a Win Win , Hey Rahm get the traffic aides , dept of revenue and CPD to enforce laws against bicycle riders , start with riding on the correct side of road with traffic , front and rear lights . It will save lives , prevent accidents and raise much needed money .
If the bike lanes are so important to 9 1/2 & the assholes that voted for him, why don't the aldercreatures impose a "License Fee" for all bikes. The bikes should be licensed with a metal plate attached to the rear of the seat so that the bicyclist could be identified if they cause an accident or get involved in an accident, lay there unconcious or flee the scene. The city could charge an annual fee of $40.00 & this fee would besides bring revenue to the city but would also HELP pay for these shitty ideas from Rahm!!! The licensee would have age restraints such as being over the age of 18yoa.
Traffic is bad enough but will get worst with the bicyclists hogging the streets of our fair city!! Automobile owners are VOTERS too & art a much bigger block of voters than the bicyclists! Bicyclists cause more accidents by disobeying the traffic laws & they salute you with the middle finger!
This is for Our Children!!
It's time that they put up or shut up!!
A Fed Up Citizen
Moron on a bike blows the stop sign and barrels through at full speed on his race bicycle.
Many of us on bikes face a greater threat from assholes like this than you do. The vast majority of us do NOT ride like that and aren't thrilled with those who do. Please stop stereotyping all based on the behavior of a small percentage. We're not stereotyping and saying "all drivers are assholes" just because some are.
This mayor dose not represent my values or religious belives. The bike riders no not pay city tax (vhicle sticker) or state liscense plate tax. They don't obey stop signs or traffic lights. We must give way to these assholes. What next? MORE TAXES AND GIVEAWAY TO HIS FRIENDS.
12:12am most of us have families we take back and forth to school, afterschool activities, bike's are not a viable option. We work, unlike half the bicycle nazi assholes, that work out of their homes, work outside the city or at least on the other side of it. So transportation guy, dont know if your the genius from oak park, who still lives in oak park, coming up with these brilliant ideas that will work well in oak park, but not in the big city if Chicago. Unfortunately, I have no choice driving my hulk of a minivan or that these politician's choose the worst connected bidder to maintain the streets, but would be better to keep your bile directed bicyclists, who run stop signs, red lights, run over the elderly/children in crosswalks, who drive into intersection, because they don't want to make a full stop and give the right of way. it would be great if rahm would choose
es people who lived and live in this city to develope plans that effect Chicagoans.
Rahm and ObaMAO will soon require us to purchase and wear green uniforms complete with the cap with red star. We will all have to sing the praises of our great leader or be denied the right to work.
You don't become a slave overnight. They steal your freedom a little at a time. But you just keep voting for the same people that gave us red light and speed cameras, sold the city out and taxed you to death. They know better than you how you should live.
Bike friendly city, huh? This was certainly a friendly thing to do...
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-highend-bicycles-stolen-from-lincoln-park-area-store-overnight-20120808,0,688178.story
Oh, and in the "nice" area of town...
I wrote a bike driver once for blowing a stopsign. With all the 'shit" I got it's not worth it.
Transportation Man said...
You don't have any grounds for your conclusions. Cars can pull over into the bike lanes to make room for emergency vehicles. Where there are two lanes of traffic in each direction, the cars have nowhere to go because there are just other cars to their right. I am constantly appalled at how Chicago drivers don't even try to get out of the way of emergency vehicles.
And I'm not sure how bike lanes will leave more wear and tear on asphalt. Not saying you're wrong. But a bike weighs far less than a car, putting less stress on the surface. Maybe the same amount of cars driving in one lane instead of two will put more stress on that lane? But the bike lane area (where a second lane of car traffic could have gone) will show much less wear. Maybe it balances out? And in theory at least, bike lanes mean more bikers, means less drivers, means less wear and tear on the roads.
Can you explain the PVC pipes? I am not familiar with this.
8/08/2012 12:09:00 AM
Hey Dipshit, you're obviously not from here and have no idea what we're talking about. It's a good idea to always have a strong opinion on an unknown. We've had bike lanes in this town for 20 years. The city moved the bike lane to the curb and the curbside parking (where there is parking) into the middle of traffic. Plus you asshole bikers feel even more empowered to ignore the rules of the road. It's gonna be good though because the parked cars in the middle of the street obstruct the bikes from traffic, so when you do the standard riding through the intersection, it'll be another bikehole on the way to that velodrome in the sky. You're using the internet to access this sight but you can't figure out what PVC piping is? You really are a dipshit.
Anonymous said...
And still the assholes on bikes are flying through intersections and stop signs at close to 20mph and scream and curse if you fail to give them the right of way to disobey avery traffic law they want to ignore, which is all of them.
I made a left onto Lincoln Ave after stopping at a stop sign. Moron on a bike blows the stop sign and barrels through at full speed on his race bicycle. except I was pulling over to park. He expected me to not park and give him the bike lane after he runs the stop sign. He screams "my lane!" as he swerves to avoid hitting my car.
Fuck him and every other asshole aggressive bicycle rider out there. I don't mind a bit watching you jerks bounce off my car. I guarantee it won't hurt me one bit. Wouldn't be the first idiot bike rider I've watched go sprawling asshole over elbows, over my car.
I am having an "almost" creaming of a bike rider at least once a week now on north side streets. Assholes think they own it all because Rahm says so. Oh well, cars are larger and heavier, they just don't seem to grasp this law of physics in addition to ignoring every traffic law out there.
8/08/2012 04:01:00 AM
I could not agree more. I'm all for giving the bikers the lane, but come on follow the basic traffic laws.
more lanes to nowhere, its like a hamster cage to keep you in. riding in circles. I can't believe gas in the city can be 5 bucks and a gas station every block or so. theres no shortage, just a fools paradise.
Anonymous said...
Bike lanes of the way of the future. Get used to it. When you fools driving gas guzzlers paying $5 bucks a gallon and wonder why you're broke.
Get out get some exercise and take a bike. Or do whar I do it take an electric bike.
8/08/2012 12:12:00 AM
-----------------------------
You have an electric bike and are telling people to get some exercise? Hahahaha.
I've heard those PVC pipe cordon things aren't up to DOT specs.
"Transportation Man"...You're an idiot, go fuck yourself.
Bike lanes suck and so do you.
Use the sidewalk, use a side street, get over to the side, you helmet headed prick.
Again, Go Fuck Yourself!
The bike lane problem begins and ends with the following...
"Militant Cyclists"
Ignoring their duties and responsibilities as pedalcyclists SHARING THE ROADWAY with other vehicles and pedestrians.
You NEVER see motor vehicle operators disregarding laws governing traffic movement with the same cavalier disregard as pedalcyclists.
"We have rights..."
No... You have a DUTY to obey the law.
Oh yeah... Try execising a little self preservation and common sense.
It's really idiotic to ride a bike and have your attention divided by whateverthefuck you're listening to on your i-pod.
Pay Attention!
Vehicle on the right has the right of way.
Pedestrians have the right of way regardless...
Stop sign and Red light means FULL STOP!
We have no problem dragging what's left of your wadded up "Militant Cyclist" ass and bike from under a car and recording you as "at fault" on the crash report based on witness accounts.
How the fuck can you be a "Militant Cyclist" full of shit and smug self righteousness when it's just you, your tender ass and 20lbs of metal tubing hung between two spindly wheels against 4000 to 80000 lbs?
Do you people even take modern vehicle design into account? Vehicular safety & crashworthiness means larger mirror housings and large "A" pillars to support the weight of the vehicle should it flip... This means the "Militant Cyclist" (>Pfft!<) is hard to see especially when both are in movement and at more or less right angles to each other...
Unsynchronized signals, euro-weenie bike lanes, planter boxes, round abouts, build outs and speed bumps don't do shit for the flow of traffic in this city beside bring it to a crawl...
We're seeing more cyclists getting their asses kicked for being "Militant" instead of turning the crank with a purpose to get to where they're going lawfully and safely.
Motorists pose their share of problems for sure but a lot of the hurt visited on cyclists is self-inflicted.
They should be licensed and get insurance and the ability to ticket and sue the bicyclist should be enforced.
Who pays for the bicycle lanes and that bridge especially for them? They are dangerous and arrogant. They think the world should be like them.
OMG!!!! They are democrat liberals!! Figures.
What 4 lane streets have become 2 lane? NONE. At most all that has been removed is a lane of parking. Oh, and you will have less car accidents to respond to with less cars on the road. The plows will clear the streets as they always do, into the parking lane which is still next to the driving lane, just like before. Oh, and the extra holes in the pavement could only provide a relief for freeze and thaw expansion, not make it worse. Typical knee jerk I hgate bikes reaction there...
The other day I was on North Halsted and traffic was backed up and here comes Johnny Bravo in his BMW driving down the bike lane because he is to good to wait like the rest of us. Great Idea, awesome Rahm!
Transportation Man said...
You don't have any grounds for your conclusions. Cars can pull over into the bike lanes to make room for emergency vehicles. Where there are two lanes of traffic in each direction, the cars have nowhere to go because there are just other cars to their right. I am constantly appalled at how Chicago drivers don't even try to get out of the way of emergency vehicles.
And I'm not sure how bike lanes will leave more wear and tear on asphalt. Not saying you're wrong. But a bike weighs far less than a car, putting less stress on the surface. Maybe the same amount of cars driving in one lane instead of two will put more stress on that lane? But the bike lane area (where a second lane of car traffic could have gone) will show much less wear. Maybe it balances out? And in theory at least, bike lanes mean more bikers, means less drivers, means less wear and tear on the roads.
Can you explain the PVC pipes? I am not familiar with this.
*****************
You are an idiot!
Rahm why don't you get a real job and quit driving this city in to the ground.
Please forward the following link to the Mayor, Superintendent of Police and all aldermen in the City of Chicago. Chance of a lifetime for a job they are actually qualified for:
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=8766520&rss=rss-wls-article-8766520
I'm just trying to assist in stepping up to Chicago values.
I think it is just time to start writing the moron bike riders that Fail to ride in accordance with the Rules of the Road.
Failure to Stop at a Light or Roll through on Red? Ticket.
Failure to come to a complete stop at a Stop Sign? Ticket.
Failure to Yield for Pedestrians in a Crosswalk? Ticket
And we can start with Critical Mass on the 31st of this month. Heaven knows they don't even bother to get a Permit for their regularly scheduled Monthly massive traffic fuckup.
Hell....don't even have to show up to court if you don't want to...just ticket them and make them waste their time if they choose to contest the ticket. Cost them Time and Money in going to court or just Money for the ticket.
9.5 wants to make this city more bike friendly than it is? I actually don't mind that idea. But the Mayor and the City needs to impress upon those that choose to ride a bike for everything that They are also accountable for their actions when on the Road.
And the nice thing about this...as a Police officer...I do believe you all have the Right to decide Which charge you use...the City Code or the State Code. Hit them with the State Law violation, and don't give the City a dime of the Fine. (625 ILCS 5/11-301 to 5/11-313).Reckless Driving (625 ILCS 5/11-500 to 5/11-505)
What 4 lane streets have become 2 lane? NONE. At most all that has been removed is a lane of parking. Oh, and you will have less car accidents to respond to with less cars on the road. The plows will clear the streets as they always do, into the parking lane which is still next to the driving lane, just like before.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Jackson between 36 and 3800 is now one lane.
Lake Street between 34 and 3600.
There's two examples just in 011 dumbass.
As for the plowing, there was no parking there and those Streets are usually plowed curb to curb....you know, where the Winter Parking Restrictions are in effect?
"You NEVER see motor vehicle operators disregarding laws governing traffic movement with the same cavalier disregard as pedalcyclists."
--8/08/2012 02:28:00 PM
OH, BROTHER.
Oh, no, you NEVER see motherf__ers driving up sidewalks at high speed trying to run over police officers and the police shooting at their car to stop them. NEVER have carloads of trapped burglars ram their way through a steel warehouse door trying to escape, coming after the coppers who are firing away at them. NEVER have mentals roaring down the expressway off-ramps against the "WRONG WAY WRONG WAY WRONG WAY" signs, slaughtering a carload of innocent people in a head-on.
Oh, "Pedalcyclists." I gotcha. Yeah, every single person controlling one of those 800-pound motorcycles is infallible too, every one of them good to go at 4 AM, roaring out of the parking lot of Willie's Iron Head Saloon. 0.0% BAC to a man, you can count on that.
This is stupid. It's like going after "those God-damned people who wear shoes, they're all the same."
Grow up.
I don't get all the bicycle hate. You guys are acting like bike riders are all just on a mission to break some laws. Meanwhile the super polite car drivers are running the speed limit, making full stops, obeying the red lights, and so on. Ha! This line of shit comes from the very same people crying they can't speed as much by a school or they'll get a ticket. Probably just don't like to see someone on bike get where they're going faster than you while you're puttering around going 5 MPH and wasting hours of time in one of the most congested cities in the country. Feel the pain, but if you get all those asshole bikers off the street all of their cars are going to clog up that shuttered bike lane anyway. Just get used to it and share the road.
"I was on the north side a few weeks ago, it just got dark. I almost hit a women on her bike who was wearing dark clothing and did not have lights on her bike. What a fool!"
--8/08/2012 07:27:00 AM
I know exactly what you mean. The same type, dark clothing and no lights going the WRONG WAY on the WRONG SIDE OF THE STREET, that has almost nailed me on my bike countless times.
There are idiots in black shorts and black T-shirts, mouths hanging open, coming at you out of the dark on skateboards too. They will swerve all the way across the street in daytime and try to head-on you. Then they start crying about the elbow they got in the mouth. "Whud you do dad forrr?"
I wear white, reflective vest at night, must have half a stack worth a bike lights around here, always trying new kinds. The new LED lights are great, and getting brighter and cheaper all the time. Reflective stuff like Scotchlite is tremendous; lights up like mad when the headlights hit it.
Hell, I have had illegals wobbling along on some maladjusted, loose thing they can't even shift gears on hit me in daytime after I stopped and pulled over and tried to let them pass. Not enough room in the whole world for them.
Then they think they're just going to ride away. "Whoa. Not until I see if the $400 camera that was in the saddlebag you just hit still works." Click! Yeah, it's OK. Another Portrait Of Stupidity for my collection.
We could trade bicycle/car stories back and forth all day, but like with guns it's not the machine, it's the user.
No matter what you're driving, everyone use your head, stay cool, give da man a break. Throw a little "bread on the waters," it comes back to you.
At least sometimes. ;)
And the freeze/thaw cycle really ought to have a field day with all the new holes made in the road - Chicago asphalt has a notoriously short half life as it is. We can only imagine it's getting even shorter with these miles of bike lanes.
***********************************
This is job security for the ashphalt crews who tend to chicago's streets. When it turns to shit, they come out and re-do it so it lasts another year. Wouldn't it be unusual to get the quality material that lasts longer than a year or less ??
12:09
Sometimes for fun. I'll cruise through bucktown. And not give up my right of way to bicyclists. I've only had one flip over my hood so far.
What 4 lane streets have become 2 lane? NONE. At most all that has been removed is a lane of parking. Oh, and you will have less car accidents to respond to with less cars on the road. The plows will clear the streets as they always do, into the parking lane which is still next to the driving lane, just like before. Oh, and the extra holes in the pavement could only provide a relief for freeze and thaw expansion, not make it worse. Typical knee jerk I hgate bikes reaction there...
8/08/2012 03:28:00 PM
Drive down 55th in Hyde Park. You know the same street where there is a firehouse and University of Chicago hospital with ambulances responding to calls on a regular basis. One lane in each direction was taken away to give the bikers a dedicated lane. Now parking is in what was once the right lane. Idiot!
To 8/08/2012 08:48:00 AM
I admit that I am a rogue driver. I couldn't afford the murano.
8/08/2012 05:54:00 PM...
"I don't get all the bicycle hate..."
It's not the bicycle...
It's the idiot turning the pedals.
You Know... The ones with the badly damaged self preservation thingy...
*WHIIIIIZZZZ!*
>What Stop Sign?<
>I'm On A Bike... Gots Skillz!<
HONK! >Oh Shit!< SCREEEEEEE! CRASH! *Involuntary Colon Blow While Flying Over Handlebars*
Most bicycle crashes involving intersections revolve around stop signs/red lights being considered as just a suggestion...
I AGREE! these bike people go around yelling at everyone when they are in the wrong. they are clueless that they are at fault and disobeying the law. (by blowing stop signs, lights etc.) I have experienced it a dozen times. ASSHOLES. stay in the park on bike paths. this isnt China.
Only Mama Knows said...
They should be licensed and get insurance and the ability to ticket and sue the bicyclist should be enforced.
Who pays for the bicycle lanes and that bridge especially for them? They are dangerous and arrogant. They think the world should be like them.
OMG!!!! They are democrat liberals!! Figures.
8/08/2012 02:53:00 PM
LIBTARDS!?!?!? Then run the motherfuckers over!!!!!!!!!
Chalkie says " We need a pool going here boys , like the New Years Pool... What district will record the first for Chalkie ?
Anonymous said...
What 4 lane streets have become 2 lane? NONE. At most all that has been removed is a lane of parking. Oh, and you will have less car accidents to respond to with less cars on the road. The plows will clear the streets as they always do, into the parking lane which is still next to the driving lane, just like before.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Jackson between 36 and 3800 is now one lane.
Lake Street between 34 and 3600.
There's two examples just in 011 dumbass.
As for the plowing, there was no parking there and those Streets are usually plowed curb to curb....you know, where the Winter Parking Restrictions are in effect?
8/08/2012 04:42:00 PM
55th from Cottage East to Lake Park stupid fuck!!!!
12:09
Sometimes for fun. I'll cruise through bucktown. And not give up my right of way to bicyclists. I've only had one flip over my hood so far.
8/08/2012 06:54:00 PM
slacker.
Some people are just assholes. They could be on a bike, driving, or a walking pedestrian. Each and every one of them can get a citation of some kind. Or just a "friendly" 30 second pause out of their day from a verbal judo connosiuer to piss them off even more.
Honestly, Whhy the fuck does this idiot think it is a good idea to make bike lanes and make traffic even worse. Just a pussy trying to limit the city's liability. Grow a set!!!!!!
Have them ride off to the side like we all did when we grew up.
Anonymous said...
What 4 lane streets have become 2 lane? NONE. At most all that has been removed is a lane of parking. Oh, and you will have less car accidents to respond to with less cars on the road. The plows will clear the streets as they always do, into the parking lane which is still next to the driving lane, just like before. Oh, and the extra holes in the pavement could only provide a relief for freeze and thaw expansion, not make it worse. Typical knee jerk I hgate bikes reaction there...
Elston Av used to be 4 lanes wide. It used to really move too. Now, one lane in each direction. Been this way for a few years. Damen Av between Diversey / Fullerton too. Used to be 4 lanes. Now two, with wide median and 2 bike lanes.
Oh, and the extra holes in the pavement could only provide a relief for freeze and thaw expansion, not make it worse. Typical knee jerk I hgate bikes reaction there...
8/08/2012 03:28:00 PM
Didn't pay attention in science class at school did you?
I have been riding my bike in the City for years. But you can't drop kids off at day care or pick up groceries on a bike. This agenda is not family friendly.
Sorry, but that doesn't fly. I know a lot of families who use bikes for grocery shopping, taking kids to day care or school, etc. It can be done. It takes a little bit of extra equipment, which ends up being less expensive than driving all those extra miles.
http://www.circleofmoms.com/top25/biking-families
I don't get all the bicycle hate. You guys are acting like bike riders are all just on a mission to break some laws. Meanwhile the super polite car drivers are running the speed limit, making full stops, obeying the red lights, and so on. Ha! This line of shit comes from the very same people crying they can't speed as much by a school or they'll get a ticket. Probably just don't like to see someone on bike get where they're going faster than you while you're puttering around going 5 MPH and wasting hours of time in one of the most congested cities in the country. Feel the pain, but if you get all those asshole bikers off the street all of their cars are going to clog up that shuttered bike lane anyway. Just get used to it and share the road.
8/08/2012 05:54:00 PM
Streets are made for cars/trucks. PERIOD! Wanna ride a bike, stick to the sidewalk or the paths along the lake and in the park. End of story!
Biking is awesome & a great way to get around.
However, too many bikers are, to their minds, the center of the universe. Follow traffic laws, Dammit!
The lanes on 55th in Hyde Park are THE WORST IDEA EVER. Next to the curb is always the crappiest part of the road, condition wise. I've been biking in this town in traffic for 12 years and I am more afraid of clueless pedestrians & cars that are getting into or out of parking spots than moving traffic. Moving traffic is usually somewhat aware of what is going on around it, parkers are usually not and pedestrians never it seems. I've been doored and I've been hit by a moving car and I've been hit by another cyclist in a bad one. I had no injuries from the incident with the moving car. Finally, if you are using a bike to get from A to B and you follow the rules (stay off sidewalks and don't go the wrong way down one way streets), you will have to turn left a lot. Bikes are entitled to get to the left of traffic if they are turning left and capable of a reasonable speed for that road. Putting me to the right of parked cars to the right of those stupid plastic pylons makes it hard to get over to the left and really primes all of the rest of the users of the road to not expect me to. This is really dangerous. I can't believe the stupid Bicycle Federation is behind this and I assume that their board has been taken over by a bunch of do goodie suburban assholes that drive their bikes to protected areas to ride and think they are real.
The whole thing is beyond stupid.
Anonymous said...
What 4 lane streets have become 2 lane? NONE.
Add Kinzie from Milwaukee to Wells to the list.
And those PVC pipes SCC spoke of are those vertical pipes that separate the car lane from the bike lanes.
They are intentionally made to look like rigid (PVC) obstacles to discourage crossing over them, however they are not solid plastic but bendable rubber.
Old Retired Guy Here. I ride my bike throughout the city often. The truth is when you choose to ride a bike in the city, you are putting your life, in the hands of strangers. I have had many close calls. Many with other bikers. Some of them are the worst offenders. I think taking out those ridiculous flower pots, and flower parkways, would do more to help bikers, than lanes. Open the streets up again.
Elston Avenue used to be four lanes wide, yeah, I remember that. It was like a superhighway and a lot of people got killed. No thanks.
Lots of education on this thread. I hope the bikers have learned that most drivers really can't dump their cars and ride bikes. Their job and family obligations don't allow it. I did it recently for my work commute, but I was lucky to afford a house close enough to the Loop. Most people can't afford that housing and live farther out.
I hope the drivers have learned that there are asshole bikers just as there are asshole drivers. It doesn't mean all of us are assholes. But a lot are.
Finally, a word about "bikers must follow the law." The news is that's horsecrap. The code was written for cars, not bikes. There is the written law, and the customary law. The customary law is the one folks follow and think is reasonable, and it's the one you see enforced. If I do something really outrageous, or run a red, or blow a stop when someone else has the right-of-way, I would say write me. I don't do that stuff. But I do blow stops when no one is around. I blow stops when I've pulled up alongside another car that is going through the intersection. I yield to all other vehicles that have the right-of-way, and I would say they yield to me when I am in the right about half the time.
So quit your bitching about "follow the law to the letter" because we're never going to do it and you are never going to enforce it that way, nor should you. I see a lot of complaining on this board about how you're all so busy and spread around that you can't respond in time or can't prevent all these murders. But you have time to crack down on bicyclists? I don't think so.
They should put one of us reformer civvies in charge of you guys and then you'd see some real changes and a lot of common sense in running your department. I bet you'd even like it. People would get promoted who deserve to be promoted. We'd protect your pension. Probably find ways to up your pay. And then we'd demand a hell of a lot from you, including a proper triaging of your deployment, and it wouldn't be writing bikes.
Except those Critical Mass assholes. I'd have you jail every last one of those motherfuckers.
"A Fed Up Citizen"
--8/08/2012 10:41:00 AM
Yeah, the government should screw a "metal plate" to your ass. Not just those people over there, but you, personally.
It'd help pay to scrape the gum off the sidewalks.
Now go away.
"...helmet headed prick...Go Fuck Yourself!"
--8/08/2012 01:53:00 PM
I see this and I'm visualizing a belligerent fat guy with a (helmet-headed) Dale Earnhardt T-shirt stretched over his gut and "NASCAR" stickers all over the family bus, like it was anything to do with him.
Danger On The Big Screen down at Eddie's Place!
*
Now you know what kind of person is it screaming out the car window every time the city fixes some sewers or something and there's a sawhorse in The Emperor's way. Blows a minor blood vessel and jerks out of line and runs that SUV up and over, diagonally across the street corner with the sidewalls squibbling.
Well -- in the TV commercial it showed that he could drive up Mount Everest, go bounding up stream beds in Alaska, etc.
Must be unbearable waiting for that train to go by. METRA had to put concrete barricades at Bryn Mawr/NW Hwy to keep them on the street, otherwise they'd be tearing off down the railroad tracks. Remember the one who went around the gates at NW/Sayre? The train nearly threw that heavy SUV in the back of the car wash there and out the front to the street.
Calm, people. Just hang in there. The light will change.
"...helmet headed prick!"
--8/08/2012 01:53:00 PM
Policemen, firemen, sports heroes, construction workers, linemen, astronauts, members of military...
"Go Fuck Yourself!"
AAAAAAAA! AAAAAAAA!
HATE EM HATE EM HATE EM!
I HAAAAAAAAAAAAATE EM!
Squad, can we get a wagon over here?
Actually, Oak Park's major streets are NOT bike-friendly, and bicyclists complain bitterly about traffic safety, bike theft, poor road condition, etc.
"Anonymous said...
12:09
Sometimes for fun. I'll cruise through bucktown. And not give up my right of way to bicyclists. I've only had one flip over my hood so far.
8/08/2012 06:54:00 PM
slacker.
8/08/2012 10:27:00 PM"
LMAO!! Militant Cyclists (can't consider them "bikers") are a menace. The bike lane plan is one of the worst that Tiny dancer has yet come up with. Insanity!
Worst idea in a busy city, these assholes race through intersections, block lanes of traffic, pull in front of drivers at lites, cruise between 2 vehicles, turn from a car only turn lane. They are rude. And they ride on Friday nites and tie up traffic on purpose.
They have no regard for pedestrians or vehicles,.
One biker was riding in a lane of traffic and when a car beeped at him to alert him, the asshole punched the car and rode off.
I don't get all the bicycle hate. You guys are acting like bike riders are all just on a mission to break some laws. Meanwhile the super polite car drivers are running the speed limit, making full stops, obeying the red lights, and so on. Ha! This line of shit comes from the very same people crying they can't speed as much by a school or they'll get a ticket. Probably just don't like to see someone on bike get where they're going faster than you while you're puttering around going 5 MPH and wasting hours of time in one of the most congested cities in the country. Feel the pain, but if you get all those asshole bikers off the street all of their cars are going to clog up that shuttered bike lane anyway. Just get used to it and share the road.
8/08/2012 05:54:00 PM
Streets are made for cars/trucks. PERIOD! Wanna ride a bike, stick to the sidewalk or the paths along the lake and in the park. End of story!
8/09/2012 07:55:00 AM
=
Stick to the SIDEWALK? Yeah, let's have hordes of bicyclists on the SIDEWALKS, barreling at pedestrians at 20mph, or more. What planet are you from?!
Bikes don't belong on major thoroughfares. It might be time to dedicate one sidestreet every eight blocks to bikes, and limit cars to 'local traffic only', for the folks who need to get to their garages, but this bike lane thing is going to be a disaster, both traffic-wise and financially.
The lanes on 55th in Hyde Park are THE WORST IDEA EVER. ...I can't believe the stupid Bicycle Federation is behind this and I assume that their board has been taken over by a bunch of do goodie suburban assholes that drive their bikes to protected areas to ride and think they are real.
Most of the people involved in developing this plan are people who regularly ride for transportation in the city. Regular cyclists from across the city had input into this plan. It is a pilot program, and we expect that some fine tuning may be needed after lanes have been in use for a little while.
Those of us who gave input understand that this is a HUGE change and a learning process for everyone - cyclists, drivers, workers doing road maintenance, etc. The whole point of this is to PROMOTE transportation riding. Please don't condemn the idea just because you don't fully get the concept yet.
use to be u can take elston as alternate to the Kennedy.Now its one lane with hardly any bikes using bike lanes.Once u pass bucktown there are no more bike riders.
Between 500 new stop signs and speedbumps no wonder it takes twice as much time to get home as it was 10 yrs ago.
8/08/2012 07:43:00 AM
-
And don't forget the 20mph speed limit when the speed cameras go operational. We are going to have gridlock like it's never been seen before.
8/9/12@ 7: 50 am. Hate to say it your full of it. We have 5 kids with different schools and afterschool activities around the city, all the extra equipment in the world wouldnt get us where we had to go. Except maybe if the extra equipment became a helicopter. Maybe now my predicament will "fly" for you. Rahm and his oak park bicycle friend, one of the geniuses behind this bullshit, have their families chauffered around Most of us dont have that luxury, nor the luxury to stick our kids on wheeled bassinets and "cycle" them around, there arent enough hours in a day.
liberal communist ideas always works.
So quit your bitching about "follow the law to the letter" because we're never going to do it....
Come meet my hood. When after I come to a complete stop and start rollin,(playing the "Jaws" soundtrack) and you, biker boy blows the cross stop assuming I'll give up my right of way. You wanna file a report, good because you'll only wind up paying for the hood repaint.
I’m an avid bicyclist and ride to and from work safely. I hold other bicyclists accountable once I’m on duty and write ANOVs when I see violations.
9-52-010 Bicyclist duties (this will cover any moving violation, ex: stop sign, red light, riding on the wrong side of the road, etc.).
9-52-020 Bicycling on sidewalks (can only bicycle on a sidewalk if under the age of 12).
9-52-050 Riding in a single file line (they can’t ride all over the road next to each other).
9-52-080 Bicycle equipment (this will cover not having a white headlight at night, a red rear reflector/taillight, or brakes (you’ll almost never see brakes on fixed-gear bicycles)).
9-52-090 Riding regulations (must have a seat and only the number of riders the bicycle was designed to carry. So, if there’s only one seat, then there can only be one rider).
9-52-110 Use of communications while bicycling (texting or talking without hands-free operation while bicycling is prohibited).
There’s no pay by mail option for these violations, except for riding on a sidewalk, so they have to appear at the hearing. It’s a $25 fine for each violation and $20 administrative fees. If they don’t show, the city sends them a default letter. If they don’t pay, their account gets sent to collections. If they still don’t pay, then their credit rating gets wacked! You can write the violator on a mover, but then you usually have to take them into the station for an I-Bond since most don’t have DLs. Traffic court usually doesn’t care to hear these cases any way. I use the ANOV… it does the job for me.
4:23 why are you such an asshole? Read my post, I won't take your right of way. And by the way, if I do meet your hood, your hood will get the worst of it. And then so will you. Be careful in the city; if you don't know who you are tangling with, you can really get surprised in a lot of different ways. You never know that you've messed with the wrong guy, until it's too late. Read your Oedipus Rex.
When they pay for plates and insurance, then they can ride in the street.
-Edison Park Resident
Bicycles.
Anyone see those scrap trucks with illegal alien drivers, one headlight dangling from a wire, wadded-up paper for a gas cap, and a 500-pound old water tank held in only by some lousy frayed rope out of the garbage, about to bust loose and cause a fatal accident? I have seen some of these things piled SO high they would not fit under a viaduct.
Anyone see the 55-foot extra-length-welded-on containers dragging those lethal dual rears diagonally across street corners, smashing curbs and knocking s__t down and turning parkways into mud lakes? How many traffic lights and street lights and fire hydrants and benches do we have to replace every year? (Oh. There are people out there too. Ever seen how they burst open, how their insides get wrapped tight into those wheels, around and around? That's always at the bottom of any list.)
"9-52-010, 9-52-020, 9-52-050, 9-52-080, 9-52-090..."
Jesus God. 100,000 words raving about bicycles.
A dozen people got blown up when they went to watch a movie. Tear gas rolling, whole place shot full of holes.
You want a paper or plastic shopping bag?
Mr. Mayor? You first.
After all, this bicycle crap is your big distraction -- not even original, left over from Daley.
How is city-to-city carpetbagger Gabe Klein doing in greasing the skids for zillionaire Alison Cohen's fleet of Canadian-made rent-a-bikes?
Any Monday morning now when the blood is pooled especially deep, it will be announced...
I have been riding my bike in the City for years. But you can't drop kids off at day care or pick up groceries on a bike. This agenda is not family friendly.
Sorry, but that doesn't fly. I know a lot of families who use bikes for grocery shopping, taking kids to day care or school, etc. It can be done. It takes a little bit of extra equipment, which ends up being less expensive than driving all those extra miles.
http://www.circleofmoms.com/top25/biking-families
8/09/2012 07:50:00 AM
I would NEVER put my newborn in some bike contraption, especially with Chicago weather and its 6 month winters, and cart her around like her life and safety are meaningless. There is a reason there is strenuous testing of infant seats and laws regarding child safety seats. And any idiotic parent who advocates biking year-round in this City as a sustainably safe mode of transporting their children should be ashamed of themselves.
Wanna stop this bullshit, have all the poiticians, ride their bikes, rahm and his familyincluded, to hell with his prívate life is seperate from his public life. If this cocksucker and his family wasnt chauffered around town and had to deal with the bullshit he and his merry monied men try to shove down our throats, this bike bullshit wouldnt be an issue.
4:23 why are you such an asshole? Read my post, I won't take your right of way. And by the way, if I do meet your hood, your hood will get the worst of it. And then so will you
I doubt it biker boy. What you going to do swing your u-lock, while I go all Christine on your ass.
And any idiotic parent who advocates biking year-round in this City as a sustainably safe mode of transporting their children should be ashamed of themselves.
Any parent who thinks it's okay to drive their kids everywhere, depriving them of the learning experiences of navigating streets, responsibility, healthy exercise, etc., is doing their kids a HUGE disservice. I see too many overprogrammed kids get to high school or college and have NO basic street smarts because they've been chauffered everywhere. The kids who use bikes for transportation from an early age are healthier and better able to function as independent teens and adults.
10:33, you talk very tough. For an anonymous poster on a blog. So tough, I'm afraid just sitting here.
10:33, you talk very tough. For an anonymous poster on a blog. So tough, I'm afraid just sitting here.
Good I scared you off your bike.
I’m an avid bicyclist and ride to and from work safely. I hold other bicyclists accountable once I’m on duty and write ANOVs when I see violations...they have to appear at the hearing. It’s a $25 fine for each violation and $20 administrative fees...most don’t have DLs.
--8/09/2012 04:41:00 PM
OK, so you know you're screening for the very poorest people.
"Traffic court usually doesn’t care to hear these cases any way."
Yeah.
"I use the ANOV… it does the job for me."
That's good.
Do you ride around in one of those "Bicycling Good Will Ambassador" jerseys the rest of the time?
Only someone with a DEATH WISH would ride their bike in the BIKE LANES.. in CHICAGO.. they are the most dangerous things they could have thought of.. I quit riding my bike when they put those lanes in..many leave you hanging out in traffic BIKES are NOT cars YET are expected to conduct themselves as such .. there's an expression when driving a car.. Mess with the best but don't F with a truck .. well on a bike it's Mess with the best but don't F with a truck or car THEY will run you over every time.. and YES Chicago and IL has the shortest asphalt life of ANY state but than tax payers have to so much money they can keep paying to redo them every summer and keep the state workers busy..
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